BURTON Albion’s Professional Development Phase side were unfortunate as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Doncaster Rovers.
The Young Brewers were left to rue missed opportunities as the Albion suffered defeat at the hands of Rovers thanks to goals from Faris Khan and Jack Goodman.
Burton were fortunate not to be a goal down in only the second minute of play after Khan missed a free header from point blank range following a teasing in-swinging corner from Rovers’ Tom Parkinson.
After a slow opening 10 minutes from both sides, Tristan Bennett seemed to be a bright spark for the Brewers and was causing the Doncaster defenders lots of problems on the right wing. Bennett’s first chance of the game came in the 11th minute after he beat several defenders on the right before he cut back onto his left foot and fired his shot over the bar.
Albion continued to dominate the proceedings in the first half and strung together a number of fine team moves, one of which nearly resulted in a goal in the 33rd minute. Oakley Hazell played a slick ball through to Kiyan Baker-McKay who fired his shot straight at Rovers keeper Jake Orman only for the offside flag to be raised.
Two minutes later Albion squandered a golden opportunity after Dylan Scott played a devastating through ball in-between two defenders to Bennett who smashed his shot over the bar from the edge of the area following a rapid counterattack.
HALF-TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-0 DONCASTER ROVERS
Bennett continued to be Burton’s brightest spark in the second half and had another great chance in the 56th minute after Baker-McKay played a lofted ball through to Bennett who attempted to round the keeper but Orman stood firm and made a great stop.
Doncaster took the lead in the 59th minute after GOODMAN picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area and smashed his shot past Dan Moore into the bottom-left corner.
That goal seemed to change the dynamic of this match as Rovers grew into the game and doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. Goodman had another chance from close range, but this time Moore was equal to the effort as he got down quickly to his right to save the shot, but Goodman headed the rebound across to KHAN who rolled his shot into the bottom left corner of the goal to make it 2-0.
Albion continued to battle hard until the end but ultimately, they were left to rue missed opportunities as the Young Brewers suffered an unflattering 2-0 defeat at St George’s Park.
FULL-TIME: BURTON ALBION 0-2 DONCASTER ROVERS
ALBION: Moore, Baker-McKay, Rush (Knowles 65), Delap, Gilbert, Tamen, Bennett (Wakelin) 81), Hazell, Scott, Pace, Nyahwema (Ademiluyi 88).
GOALS: DONCASTER (Goodman, 59, Khan, 72).
ALL PHOTOS KIND COURTESY OF SALLY ROSE.